CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Loaves and Fishes began their work helping those in need in 1983. The nonprofit was started when a group of women at Trinity Episcopal Church wanted to make a difference, so they served soup once a week to those who were hungry.
Loaves and Fishes Executive Director Ricky Willis said it wasn’t long before the women realized there was a much greater need for food than just once a week. Willis said the group reached out to other downtown churches for help, and the result grew into the Loaves and Fishes we know today.
The organization carried out their mission for many decades at the First Presbyterian Church Activities and Outreach Center at 215 Foster St. A few years ago, Loaves and Fishes purchased property and built their new facility, which opened in March at 825 Crossland Ave.
“It has enabled us to take the next step in the journey for Loaves and Fishes. It has given us the opportunity to grow and what we are able to offer as a ministry. Not only in terms of a meal but potentially other steps as we try to minister to the whole person,” Willis said.
They open their doors at 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday and serve close to 125 free lunches from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day. Along with food, free Wi-Fi is available and there are charging stations for phones.
Since Loaves and Fishes is closed on Sundays, on Saturdays along with their meal, every person gets a Blessing Bag filled with food.
Willis said they are not connected to a food bank or other food network. “Everything we receive comes through local donations and the generosity of people here in Clarksville and the surrounding area. We are blessed with food from businesses and individuals in a really great way,” he said.
Loaves and Fishes also has a warehouse distribution center in their new facility, and they partner with close to 30 other Clarksville-area churches and agencies supplying food for their ministries. Willis said the organization is always looking for ways to network with other people, businesses and agencies that have services that can meet the needs of the people they serve.
“We are a ministry that makes sure the hungry are fed. We don’t ask any questions, we don’t make any judgments. If people are hungry, we will feed them,” Willis said.
Since they are open six days a week, they are always in need of volunteers to help prepare meals, serve meals, clean up, and handle the receiving and distribution of food. “Volunteers are the life blood of what we do; we couldn’t do without them,” Willis said.
To learn more about Loaves and Fishes, to volunteer, or to make a donation, visit loavesandfishestn.org, email info@loavesandfishestn.org, go to facebook/LoavesandFishesTN/, or call 931-645-9020.
Giving Grace, sponsored by Grace Dental, is an ongoing Clarksville Now series showcasing local nonprofit organizations.